Monthly Archives: March 2016

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By Willa Neale, Communications Intern
Tight on cash? Well you’re in luck! Here is a guide about how adding a little R&R&R to your life that will help you spend less and save more.

REDUCE:
Only buy what you know you can use. As consumers, we tend to purchase more goods than we actually need, and when perishables go bad, we have little choice but to throw them out. According to World Food Day USA , it is estimated that 20 pounds of food is wasted per person per month. By buying conservatively, you won’t be pouring cash down the drain along with that spoiled milk. Visit the EPA to learn more about ways to save money by reducing what you purchase. For information on how to keep your fruits and veggies fresh to avoid throwing them out, check out The Vegetarian Times

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REUSE:
Making the switch to reusable products seems like a simple enough switch, yet for some reason, we are still inclined to buy those convenient disposables. We continue to stock up on plastic water bottles, paper towels and food containers. We may think that these habits don’t add up, but in reality, they are costing you a fortune. According to Earth911 you could easily be spending upwards of $110 dollars a year on paper towels alone! Plastic baggies? That’s another $42 per year. And all of those disposable plastic bottles? Ban the Bottle reports that the recommended eight glasses of water per day will equal $1,400 dollars when bottled, while a year’s worth of water can be as little as $.49 from the tap! While it may take some time to get use to, working towards purchasing reusable materials will eventually save you hundreds of dollars per year.

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Recycle:
Recycling unwanted household objects by turning it into a new creation is one of the most fun and easy ways to save money. The Pinterest possibilities are endless when it comes to crafty DIYs that transform old clothing and furniture into new and exciting projects. Check out a few of our favorites! Earth Day Crafts

Image Source: gleangenie http://mrg.bz/gzcvGs

You could save hundreds by switching up your routine, and pushing towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Keep it up, and you might be feeling a whole lot luckier next St. Patricks Day!

Today marks the 112th birthday of one of the most beloved authors of all time, Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Through his books, Dr. Seuss brought to light many social, economic, and political issues. Most notably, one of his favorite books he wrote, The Lorax focused on environmental issues and anti-consumerism.

The story of the Lorax tells how a lush pristine valley inhabited by many different creatures becomes polluted and dark due to all the “Truffula Trees” in the valley that get chopped down to make way for a factory. The Lorax is a creature who appears when a man called “the Once-ler”, tries to cut down the first tree. The Lorax warns of the dangers that come with cutting down trees. “I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees.” The Once-ler does not heed his warning and before long the animals have moved on leaving behind a desolate world.

The Lorax is one of Seuss’s more grim stories, but it reflects the era in which it was written. In 1971, when the book was released, the United States was embroiled in environmental issues left over from the 1960s. The deforestation of the Pacific Northwest was chief among them; logging companies were cutting down trees at alarming rates. Needless to say, the logging industry was not happy about The Lorax. Dr. Seuss personifies the industry as the Once-ler, and environmental groups as the Lorax, as they are often ignored until it is too late.

Although the lesson to be taught is not to stop cutting down trees as a whole, but rather to raise awareness to what could happen in an extreme situation should industry go unchecked. Deforestation is a growing and very serious problem in today’s world. Forests only cover about 30% of the Earth’s surface, and it is estimated that in 100 years there will be no rainforests left on Earth.

While we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss today, let’s also look at the messages he sent us through his timeless books and act on his warnings. Just like the Lorax, your voice can be heard and you can help stop deforestation! One thing you can do right at your own home is plant a tree this Arbor Day, April 29th!